HMS Bounty Survivor's Family: "We Are Praying for the Captain"

The family of John Jones, a survivor of the Bounty, issues a statement to PM.

HMS Bounty, a 180-foot replica of the British warship, sank 90 miles off the coast of North Carolina this morning when it was caught in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Fourteen of the 16 people on board have been rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. One, Claudine Christian, was found dead, but Capt. Robin Walbridge is still missing. The family of one of the rescued sailors has released the following statement to PM:

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"HMS BOUNTY WRECK SURVIVOR JOHN JONES ALIVE AND WELL.The family of John Jones—29, of St. Augustine, Fla., who was rescued from the HMS Bounty early this morning after abandoning ship—is happy that he is among the rescued members of the HMS Bounty. At this time, Mr. Jones is not with family and there has been no indication that he wishes to communicate with the media. The family is continually praying for the captain in the wake of the storm. It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of Claudine Christian, a fellow crew member and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends as they mourn this unspeakable loss."

Reuters reports that the Bounty was trying to sail from Connecticut to Florida when it was caught in the path of the hurricane. Walbridge had worked aboard the ship for 17 years.